Math 1351-004 Mathematics for Elementary Education Majors 2

Meets: MW 5:00pm-6:20pm

Location: GAB 317

Spring 2017

Instructor: Houston Schuerger

Office: GAB427

Office Hours: M 2:30pm-4:30pm & 6:30pm-7:00pm

T 2:30pm-3:00pm

W 6:30pm-7:00pm

R 2:30pm-3:00pm

Email:

Course Description: This course is a continuation of the transition from being a learner of mathematics to being a teacher of mathematics. This transition culminates with the mathematics methods course (EDEE 4350) taken as part of teacher training. During this transition, the student should develop from being able to “do” mathematics to being able to analyze and understand mathematical concepts taught in elementary/middle school. The student should concentrate on changing from a passive receiver of information to an independent learner who can seek out new ideas and understand them. Lastly, you should begin this transition by focusing on yourself as a learner of mathematics (How do I learn math?), to focusing on others’ learning styles, and finally to focusing on the child as a learner and how you as the teacher can facilitate his/her learning of mathematics.

Like many careers, mathematics education has its “tools of the trade.” While you may not have learned mathematics using manipulatives and team settings the first time around, you will be expected to use them in your classroom. We will be using manipulatives to model mathematics ideas and to help you gain a deeper understanding of mathematical concepts taught in elementary/middle school.

Prerequisite: Successful completion of Math 1350

MyMathLab through Blackboard is REQUIRED: You will access your math course platform from

within Blackboard Learn. Some of the course content (assignments, textbook, help tools, etc.) is

delivered in the online platform MyMathLab accessed through Blackboard Learn. You will need to

temporary 14-day access period. If you do not purchase MML by the end of the temporary access, you

may lose credit for all work previously completed in MML. No extensions will be given for any missed

assignments. Not having access to MML is not a valid reason for missing assignments.

Print Textbook is OPTIONAL: Mathematical Reasoning for Elementary Teachers, 7th edition by

Long, DeTemple, and Millman ISBN-13: 978-0-321-90099-9The textbook in electronic form is

included in MML. MML may be purchased packaged with the textbook, as a stand-alone, or directly

online at registration.

Required on the Web: (Blackboard). All materials for the course will “appear”

under course content as we move through the course. You must call the Help Desk FIRST if you are

having computer or technology issues. The desk will issue a remedy ticket number, and they can

contact the instructor if multiple students are having the same problem! Always have the desk fill out a

“remedy ticket” so we can trace your call in the system. We must have a remedy ticket number to help

you! When you come up with your “excuse”, the first thing we are going to say is “What is your

remedy ticket number?” UNT Helpdesk Phone: (940)565-2324 Mon.-Th. 8am-midnight; Fri. 8am-

8pm; Sat. 9am-5pm; Sun. 8am-midnight; In person: Sage Hall (Rm. 130) – Mon.-Fri. 8am-8pm

(closed weekends); Email: ** Remember ALL emails on Blackboard now GO

DIRECTLY TO your my.unt.edu email (Eagle Connect). ** YOU MUST ACCESS YOUR

MY.UNT.EDU ACCOUNT THE FIRST DAY OF CLASS ** and use yourUNT email account for all

Correspondence. It will be where all of our emails will be sent.

If you are absent, you must check Blackboard to print all handouts andhomework given out

during the class that was missed. Email communication is NOT to be used in lieu of class attendance.

Objectives: This course examines key concepts of geometry, probability and statistics, as well as

applications of the algebraic properties of real numbers to concepts of measurement taught in

elementary/middle school mathematics alongwith some algorithms and manipulatives that can be used

to gain a deeper understanding of these concepts. By the end of the course you should be able to do the

following:

better understand the mathematical concepts needed to be able to teach mathematics to young children with confidence, competence, creativity, and capacity;
definegeometric terms;
understand polygons and other 2 dimensional shapes;
understand angle relationships;
understand the concept of measurement;
understand perimeter and area of 2- dimensional figures;
understand 3- dimensional geometrical shapes;
understand the characteristics of right triangles and the Pythagorean Theorem;
understand surface area and volume;
apply and understand transformational geometry;
understand symmetry;
understand congruent figures;
demonstrate geometric constructions with a compass, protractor, and ruler;
understand similar figures;
understand drawing, reading and interpreting graphs;
understand statistical measures and their uses;
understand probability.

Course Policies: First, this class operates under a “no-excuse” policy. You are responsible for knowing

all assignments and deadlines. When you have a team assignment, you should learn to help yourself and

your teammates by keeping up with the part of the assignment that you are asked to complete. Be

prepared for class by being sure that you have all materials (paper, pencil, colored pencils, scissors, etc.)

Second, if you have unique learning needs or are physically challenged, every attempt is made to

provide reasonable accommodations. Students seeking accommodations must first register with the

Office of Disability Accommodation (ODA) to verify their eligibility. If a disability is verified, the

ODA will provide you with an accommodation letter to be delivered to faculty to begin a private

discussion regarding your specific needs in a course. You should see me by the end of the first week of

class so we can make appropriate arrangements. For additional information see the Office of Disability

Accommodation website at . You may also contact them by phone at

(940)565-4323.

Third, appropriate behavior is expected of all students. Arrive for class promptly and do not leave until

the scheduled ending time. If you must arrive late, please do so discreetly as possible. If you must leave

early, let the instructor know in advance so that you may not be marked absent for the day. Please do

not work on unrelated assignments during class. Student behavior that interferes with an instructor’s

ability to conduct a class or other students’ opportunity to learn is unacceptable and disruptive and will

not be tolerated in any instructional forum at UNT. Students engaging in unacceptable behavior will be

directed to leave the classroom, and the instructor may refer the student to the Center for Student Rights

and Responsibilities to consider whether the student’s conduct violated the Code of Student Conduct.

The university’s expectations for student conduct apply to all instructional forums, including university

and electronic classrooms, labs, discussion groups, field trips, etc. The Code of Student Conduct can be

found at

Fourth, please be aware of university policies regarding academic honesty. Cheating on exams and other

individual work is not tolerated and will have severe consequences – often the result is failing the

course. Consult vpaa.unt.edu/academic-integrity.htm for details on academic integrity at UNT.

Fifth, participation is a required part of this course. This class is designed to be active and

interactive. Much of what you will learn will evolve from in-class activities, experiences, and

discussions. Attendance is essential. Some of the concepts we will cover in this class are not in the

textbook, so you need to be in class. Just as it will be when you are the teacher, you should be punctual

and stay for the entire class time. Missing any portion of class may be counted as an absence at the

instructor’s discretion. On the fourth absence, the student’s grade will drop a letter grade. For each

absence afterthe fourth absence, the grade willcontinue to drop a letter grade. ATTENDANCE IS

ESSENTIAL!! Should you be absent, it is your responsibility to find out what was covered in

class as soon as possible.

Sixth, homework will come from in class assignments and assignments posted in MML. Assignments

will be posted on Blackboard as we go; you are responsible forthe assignments and deadlines. If

you are absent, you will need to go to Blackboard to get any handouts for the day that you missed.

Homework to be turned in to me will be due at the beginning of class; I willnot accept late homework.

Assignments posted in MML will become available as we cover the material in class. Check MML each

day to be sure that you a keeping up with assignments and due dates.

Seventh, you will need the following supplies for this class: ruler, compass, protractor, scissors,

colored pencils, loose leaf paper in a binder (instead of a spiral notebook). You will need a scientific

calculator for portions of this course. You will NOT be allowed to use your cell phone calculator on

exams! You may want to bring a laptop or ipad to class. There will be times that you may need to look

for information on the web or access an app mentioned in class.

Finally, this syllabus is not a contract, and I reserve the right to amend, append, or otherwise make changes should the need arise. Changes to the syllabus will be announced in class.

Course evaluation: Scale and Percentages A=90+; B=80-89; C=70-79; D=60-69; F=0-59

1)Average of 3 in class exams = 75%

2)Homework = 10%

3)In Class Activities = 10%

4)Mathematics Interaction Project = 5%

There is NO EXTRA CREDIT!! Grades are determined solely on your performance on these items.

Exams: There will be 3 in-class exams during the semester. If you know that you need to miss an exam, plan to take it early. If you have an emergency (deathly ill, car problems, etc.) on the day of the exam and you contact me PRIOR to class time (a message in the office or an email sent before class is fine), I will consider arranging a make-up exam for you. Make-up exams need to be completed before the next class meeting. The 3rd exam will be given during the time scheduled for this class to take a final exam, which is Monday 5/8/16 at 5pm. The exam will be in our regular classroom. You can check for the final exam schedule.

Written Homework: There is an assignment sheet attached to this syllabus of problems that you will

be expected to complete from the textbook. You may also be given additional worksheets that will be

passed out in class for certain topics. All worksheets are posted in Blackboard and will open as we

cover the material. You are responsible forthe assignments and deadlines. If you are absent, you

will need to go to Blackboard to get any handouts for the day that you missed. Homework to be

turned in to me will be due at the beginning of class; I willnot accept late homework for any reason.

At the end of the semester, I will drop a written homework assignment grade AND one MML

assignment grade.

MML Assignments: Assignments posted in MML will become available as we cover the material in

class. Check MML each day to be sure that you are keeping up with assignments and due dates. You

have three (3) attempts per problem-type for each online problem in MML. Using the “Help Me Solve

It” feature uses one attempt. Use the attempts carefully so that you can earn a grade of 100% on each

assignment. NO LATE HOMEWORK will be accepted for any reason whatsoever. A grade of zero

will be assigned to any homework assignment not completed online and submitted by the due date and

time. Specifically, due dates will NOT be extended for any reason. NO EXCEPTIONS. Technical

difficulty, including loss of internet access, is not an excuse for not completing an assignment. DO NOT

wait until the last minute to complete an online assignment.

Mathematics Interaction Project: We are partnering with Communities In Schools North Texas

(CISNT) to give Math 1351 students an opportunity to enhance their learning experiences in this course

through interactions with elementary/middle school students throughout the semester. CISNT operates

after school centers on education programs in schools located throughout the area. Math 1351 students

will serve as math tutors for elementary/middle school students at one of the available campuses this

semester. You must complete steps 1-4 below:

1) You must complete an online application at the directions for filling out the application; or click the link on the course content page in blackboard.

2) Most of you have already completed the CISNT orientation. If you haven’t, talk to me and I can let you know about orientation times and days.

3) You must tutor a minimum of 15 hours during the semester;these can be spread out over the semesteror done within a few weeks; each campus will keep up with your attendance for the tutoring andreport it to the instructor throughout the semester.

4) You will journal about your interactions with students in blackboard; the instructor will send a

“prompt” as an announcement in blackboard for you to write about in your journal

In Class Activities: The team exercises are designed to engage you with other members of a

learning community team. The small group exercises help you apply skills to activities and learning

that are different from the standard exams and homework. Also, you will be expected to teach

elementary/middle school students using team exercises. This experience will help you grow as both a

learner of mathematics and a teacher of mathematics. These types of assignments help build

communication and analytical skills. Through each of the assignments you need to work with your

group. You are responsible to and for each other. There are NO MAKEUPS for these activities.

Study: A reasonable amount of time to allow for a college mathematics course is two to three hours (of

productive time) outside of class for every hour in class. Try to schedule regular hours to study, six to

nine hours for this class every week. If you really do set aside this time and use those six to nine hours

productively, I think you’ll find that you will have better grades. Often, studying with someone else

helps you clarify your own thinking and understanding; of course, all parties need to contribute for this

to really be effective.

Math Lab: More information is available at The UNT Math Lab is

located in GAB 440. The website has the current hours of operation.

Online Tutoring: Go to and select the tutoring button located in the left column of the

page. Then select online tutoring. The link will direct you to

Final Grade: You may access your course grade online at my.unt.edu. Grades posted in Blackboard

are for your record-keeping purposes only. Your final course grade is determined by the criteria stated

on this syllabus.

Incompletes:A student that qualifies may request a grade of “I”, an incomplete. An “I” is a non-punitive grade given only if ALL three of the following criteria are satisfied:

1) The student is passing the course.

2) The student has a justifiable (and verifiable) reason why the work cannot be completed as scheduled; and

3) The student arranges with the instructor to complete the work within one academic year.

Drop Policy:If you are unable to complete this course, it is your responsibility to formally withdraw

from the course. You may do so through the Registrar’s Office after obtaining the necessary signatures.

Consents for withdrawal and appropriate signatures may be obtained in Math Placement and Testing

Office, GAB 443. The last day to drop with an automatic “W” is4/4. If you do not withdraw but stop attending, you will receive a performance grade, generally an “F.”

Progress Reports: Students needing progress reports completed/signed for athletics, scholarships,

and/or other organizations must attend office hours to get them completed.

Succeed at UNT: Succeed at UNT is a new campaign to provide students with consistent student

success messages, and user-friendly, accessible links to student support services. The six focused

messages are: SHOW UP, FIND SUPPORT, TAKE CONTROL, BE PREPARED, GET INVOLVED,

and BE PERSISTENT. You can access multiple student resource links, as well as short videos with

student messages by going to

Student Perception of Instruction (SPOT):

A student evaluation of instruction is a requirement for all organized classes at UNT. This short survey will be made available to you at the end of the semester, providing you a chance to comment on how this class is taught. You will receive more information on this survey after the semester starts.

Spring 2017 Tentative Schedule Math 1351(MW)

Class
Meeting / Date / Topic / Class
Meeting / Date / Topic
1 / 1/18 / Course Intro; Figures in the Plane (9.1)
2 / 1/23 / Figures in the Plane (9.1) / 3 / 1/25 / Polygons and Other Shapes (9.2)
4 / 1/30 / Polygons and Other Shapes;(9.2) / 5 / 2/1 / US Standard Measurement (10.1)
6 / 2/6 / Metric Measurement (10.1) / 7 / 2/8 / Perimeter & Area (10.2)
8 / 2/13 / Area continued; Activity (10.2) / 9 / 2/15 / Review for Test 1
10 / 2/20 / Test 1 / 11 / 2/22 / 3D Geometry (9.3)
12 / 2/27 / Pythagorean Theorem (10.3) / 13 / 3/1 / Volume (10.4);
Volume activity
14 / 3/6 / Surface Area (10.4) / 15 / 3/8 / More Surface Area & Volume
3/13 / NO CLASS;
SPRING BREAK / 3/15 / NO CLASS;
SPRING BREAK
16 / 3/20 / Translations, Rotations, & Reflections (11.1) / 17 / 3/22 / Surface Area & Volume Activity
18 / 3/27 / Review for Test 2;
Finish SA & V activity / 19 / 3/29 / Test 2
20 / 4/3 / Symmetry (11.2);
Symmetry Activity / 21 / 4/5 / Congruent Figures (12.1)
22 / 4/10 / Constructions / 23 / 4/12 / Constructions
24 / 4/17 / Similar Figures (12.3) / 25 / 4/19 / Graphs (13.1)
26 / 4/24 / Statistics (13.2) / 27 / 4/26 / Graphing Activity
28 / 5/1 / Probability / 29 / 5/3 / Review for Test 3

Math 1351 Written Assignments